A Colorful Guide to Holi: Products, Benefits, and Traditions
Holi is a popular spring festival that is celebrated in India, particularly in the northern part of the country. The festival is celebrated to welcome the arrival of spring and to celebrate the victory of good over evil. There are several stories associated with the origin of Holi. One of the most popular stories is that of Prahlad and Hiranyakashipu from Hindu mythology. According to the story, Hiranyakashipu was a demon king who wanted everyone to worship him instead of the gods. However, his son Prahlad was a devotee of Lord Vishnu and refused to worship his father. Hiranyakashipu tried to kill Prahlad multiple times, but he was protected by Lord Vishnu. One day, Hiranyakashipu's sister, Holika, offered to help him kill Prahlad. Holika had a boon that made her immune to fire, so she sat on a pyre with Prahlad on her lap, hoping that he would burn to death while she remained unharmed. However, Lord Vishnu intervened and saved Prahlad while Holika was consumed by the fire.